Support helps therapy center stay open

Rancho Vista Equine Therapy Center will stay in business, its board decided in late December after getting pledges of financial and volunteer support.

The nonprofit organization, located on East County Road 58, provides equine-assisted programs for people with physical and emotional disabilities. A month ago, it appeared the center might have to close at the end of the year because of funding shortfalls.

According to program director Ann Streett-Joslin, some key staff positions have now been filled, including those working on fund-raising and grants.

RVETC expects to raise one-third of its $100,000 budget from rider fees and other program revenue. This means $67,000 must be raised from contributions, pledges, grants and fund-raising events. By late December, RVETC had pledges for 45 percent of this amount with almost $7,500 already collected.

RVETC will start a winter program on Jan. 15 with Tuesday afternoon, Thursday morning and Saturday morning classes. There are still openings for riders. Volunteers may also sign up for any of the classes as horse handlers, sidewalkers or barn assistants. Volunteer training is scheduled for the second week in January.

More information is available by calling Linda Heinrich at 226-2745; leaving a message at 221-5522, mailbox 3; or e-mailing info@ranchovista.org.